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Society & Culture

The Tavistock: inside the gender clinic

Tortoise Media

From Tortoise, journalist Polly Curtis tells the story of the Gender Identity Development Service for children and young people at the Tavistock. The Tavi, as it’s known, is the only NHS clinic in England and Wales which treats children suffering from gender dysphoria. Its critics have accused it of fast-tracking young people into changing gender. Its supporters argue it has provided help and support, even a lifeline for some. In a few months time the clinic will close. This is the story of what happened.


You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content by downloading the Tortoise audio app or subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts. Or join ts a member to support our investigations and get invites to exclusive events. Go to tortoisemedia.com and enter the code Polly50 for half price membership.

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  • 8 episodes
  • Updated Jun 20, 2023

Episodes8

Newest first
  • Jun 20, 2023 · 43 min

    Gender GP | Ep 7

    Inside the world of private trans healthcare

  • Dec 15, 2022 · 40 min

    The real scandal | Ep 6

    Polly Curtis investigates why NHS England accelerated the closure of GIDS and what the future of the service could look like for children and young people.

  • Dec 15, 2022 · 38 min

    The noise | Ep 5

    The public debate around the work of the Tavistock is getting louder. Kiera Bell wins a landmark ruling at the High Court. The ruling is later overturned but for many people the narrative of the Gender Identity Development Service is now set in stone.

  • Dec 8, 2022 · 34 min

    The enemy within | Ep 4

    The internal divisions at GIDS and the wider Tavistock centre spill out into the open. Whistleblowers are publicly critical of GIDS. GIDS desperately tries to hold its team together. Meanwhile the numbers on the waiting list tick up and up.

  • Dec 8, 2022 · 35 min

    Thin ice | Ep 3

    As the increase in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service increases, the profile of the young people seeking treatment changes too.

  • Dec 1, 2022 · 40 min

    The broom cupboard | Ep 2

    “I remember our office was literally a room that had probably been a broom cupboard at one stage”. But the decision to start offering puberty blockers to under-16s, and to widen the professionals who could refer a child to GIDS had a major impact.

  • Dec 1, 2022 · 38 min

    A verdict | Ep 1

    In the summer of 2022 the NHS announced it was winding up the Gender Identity Development Service for children and young people at the Tavistock. Critics of the service celebrated, its supporters were left in despair.